TIME is of the essence to the Herefordshire Volunteer of the Year Awards – the time volunteers give to others, and the time taken to salute what those volunteers do.

So this year, event organisers are taking a little more time to see who’s out there worth saluting, extending the deadline for entries to Tuesday May 7.

Those entries are piling up, but Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service (HVOSS) is sure there’s room for more.

For a fifth time the event is being sponsored by allpay with the company giving a special award to an individual who has made a lifetime contribution to volunteering.

Annie Neesham, communications executive for allpay, explains the deadline extension: “The HVOSS team has been sorting through a healthy pile of entries and competition is quite stiff in some categories but we’d still like to see more. There are some incredible teams and individuals in Herefordshire that deserve to be put in the spotlight but we need to know about them.

"We believe there is still potential for some great entries so have extended the deadline to include the Bank Holiday when more people will have the chance to write their entry.”

The awards team is searching for a Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, Fundraiser, Sports Volunteer, Young Volunteer, Community Hero and Lifetime Achievement winner.

The winners will attend an “Oscars-style” night with awards presented by the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Darnley, at a gala dinner to be held at The Three Counties Hotel on June 10.

Cargill, BOSS and Biddle Properties are back to provide prizes for the team, fund-raiser and sports categories, while Hereford Rotary Club and Ross Labels join to support specific community awards.

The nominations will be judged by an independent panel and the winners will be notified in the third week of May.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.hvoss.org.uk or www.allpay.net/voya2013 or you can fill in a nomination form on the allpay website. Nominations must arrive by May 3.

For more details, contact Angela Legg at HVOSS on 01432 343932 or email angela@herefordshireva.org

 

AWARD CATEGORIES
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Labels Outlet Shopping
To an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the community through volunteering.
1st prize - £200
2nd prize - £100

VOLUNTEER TEAM OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Cargill
For a team of volunteers who make an exceptional difference to the community.
1st prize - £200
2nd prize - £100


FUNDRAISER – Sponsored by Border Office Supplies
The winner of this award will not necessarily have gained the most funding.
The nature and range of activities undertaken to secure funding will be the important factor.
Prize - £250

SPORTS VOLUNTEER – Sponsored by Biddle Properties
Coaches, referees, administrators, refreshment providers - this award is an opportunity to acknowledge dedication to a particularly sport in whatever capacity.
1st prize - £200
2nd prize - £100

YOUNG VOLUNTEER – Sponsored by Labels Outlet Shopping
Specifically recognises the positive impact that young volunteers (aged under 25) make.
1st prize - £200
2nd prizes - £100

COMMUNITY HERO – Sponsored by Hereford Rotary Club
Recognises that in every community there is an unsung hero who voluntarily lends a hand to neighbours in need and quietly does all those little things to make their neighbourhood or village a better place to be.
1st prize - £200
2nd prize - £100

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Sponsored by allpay
Saluting that “inspirational person” who has dedicated many years of their life volunteering to help others.
Prize - £200